Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

Seeing fellow programmers left and right switching to dark mode and everyone seems very happy. I gave it a try a few times but it just doesn't work. I can't focus.

It is not the time that I need to get used to a different syntax highlighting scheme because I switch between editors all the time. I'm perfectly fine as long as the background is lighter than the foreground, so it has to do something with the dark mode itself.

Is it that I have to give it more time (so I can stop noticing that "something is wrong"), or simply it doesn't work for some people? And if so, what am I losing (reduced eye fatigue, better sleep...)?

Use what works for you. Personally I frequently switch between the two as I find that light mode works better in the day for me, while dark mode is better in the evenings/night.

Dark mode appeals to some people and not others. Having things available only in dark mode would be just as bad as only in light mode. (Having things only available in system colors, and having that have many well tested color schemes would be most preferable, but since it's not 1995, I guess that's not going to happen)

If you want the least eye fatigue, you gotta go with yellow on blue, like Word Perfect of old. It's all about compromises.

I started as a developer in the 80s on vt100 terminals with green and amber on black screens. I vividly remember how nice it was to switch to a light background without flicker and have never looked back. Choose what works for you.

started using and learning linux from the console so there was always a nostalgic reason for me to have everything in solarized dark. the last 2 or so years my eye sight has dropped due to aging but also because of way too much time on a screen. I notice it especially during reading ebooks at night that a dark theme isn't doing me favors so switched to an e-paper like color and slightly reduced screen brightness for late night pdfs/ebooks reading. (redshift does nothing for me here). an epaper color is a lot easier on my eyes than dark mode. still use dark colors for terminals during my day work but am also considering changing this but maybe it's because my eyes aren't tired throughout the day as much as they're between 21:00 and 02:00 ...